Judge rejects plea offer for 17-year-old defendant in aggravated-robbery case, sets trial

The court reviewed a plea submitted on behalf of Brandon Ernest on multiple counts, including aggravated robbery and related offenses, but the judge announced he would not accept the plea agreement and instead placed the case on the trial docket.

"I don't think this is in any way someone deserving of probation... If a jury wants to do that, I'm not one to throw things on my trial docket," the judge said, explaining concerns about the defendant's behavior in custody and information in the pre-sentence report.

Defense counsel urged the court to consider the defendant's youth and lack of prior adult convictions, noting "He's 17 years old," and asked the court to follow the recommended alternatives. The judge responded that the seriousness of the offenses and the defendant's conduct weighed against probation and said the matter would proceed to trial so the community could decide the appropriate outcome.

The judge instructed counsel on availability, appointment of counsel matters and options for a jury trial, and noted that if the defense wanted a different appointed attorney the defendant could request it. The court emphasized that future behavior and any new information could affect decisions but, on the record at that hearing, the plea would not be accepted.